Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center - Dalton, Pennsylvania

Royce M.

I was recently able to go to the Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center in Dalton, Pennsylvania where I was able to spend 1 week, specifically in the Orthodox Tradition known as the Holy Week (Palm Sunday - Resurrection (Easter) Sunday). To be in retreat during Holy Week was a enlightening experience. Praying all the hours while being in the serenity of the retreat center was amazing. The fellowship that was had amongst the participants was even better. I hope that anyone who is thinking about it, take the leap of faith that this experience will be well worth it.

Carolyn C.

I recently was able to attend Holy Week at HTRC, and I am truly very grateful that I was able to partake in such a blessed and enriching experience! Every time I come to HTRC I am always filled with a sense of peace and a true belonging of home, as if it's my home away from home.

The peaceful atmosphere immediately set the tone for a reflective and contemplative Holy Week experience. The warmth, compassion, and love that permeated in each interaction is a testament to the inclusive and welcoming ethos of HTRC. The friendships and connections forged during the retreat are something I will truly cherish for a lifetime. We were able make pesaha appam together, share stories, go on coffee runs, take a tour of St. Tikhon’s, go on walks around HTRC’s property, and share many laughs together!

Under the guidance and presence of our Metropolitan, His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos and Fr. Jerry Varghese, we were blessed to be able to partake in all the hours of prayers and services of Holy Week mostly in English. To understand, immerse yourself, and reflect on the beauty that is found in our Orthodox liturgical services and prayers was an immense blessing.

Every aspect of Holy Week left a profound impact on my mind, body, and soul. I left HTRC feeling spiritually renewed, refreshed, and inspired to live out my faith in a more meaningful way. I highly recommend HTRC as a spiritual home for anyone seeking a soulful journey during Holy Week or any time of the year. This past Holy Week provided me with the space and guidance to deepen my relationship with God, find silence in my life, and gain a fresh perspective on my journey as an Orthodox Christian. Glory be to God for all things! Christ is Risen!! Indeed He is Risen!!

Marilyn C.

HTRC’s always felt like home, so when I found out that there would be a chance to take part in Holy Week there this year, it was such a no-brainer. From the get-go, I could tell that I made the right decision in coming. The majority of the songs and prayers were done in English, and while our Malayalam services are so beautiful, I am not fluent, so the fact that it was done in English was huge for me. It was easy for me to immerse myself in the words we were meditating on and that really carried me through the whole week! Since I never had the chance to take part in all the hours of Holy Week before this year, it was really exciting to know we wouldn’t leave a stone unturned. Staying at HTRC made this especially easy because there was no commute (outside the short walk from our wing to the chapel) and staying there really made all the difference.

The fellowship shared among everyone, clergy and lay alike, really shaped our amazing Holy Week experience. We ate together, laughed together, and learned together. It was a blessing to be among like-minded people who wanted to make the best of our time in Holy Week and come out spiritually enriched. Getting to the empty tomb was a group effort, from helping make Pesaha appam to something as simple as getting through 6th Hour of Good Friday in Malayalam together, our fellowship wasn’t contained in just the dining hall or the chapel. With all the memories and experiences we shared, I’m sure the relationships that were built and strengthened will only grow with us.

None of this would have been possible without our Metropolitan His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos’ guidance and Fr. Jerry Varghese’s support! HTRC’s program coordinator, Gary, always made sure we were comfortable and took care of any issues that came up swiftly and with a smile. It would be remiss of me to neglect acknowledging Justin and Greg’s tireless efforts to make sure we were well-fed, and honestly I’ve never eaten so well during Holy Week before. Leaving HTRC was more difficult than usual because of the blessed time we invested in our spiritual lives, but God-willing, I am already looking forward to being back next year. For the sake of my word count, there is so much I have missed, but you’ll just have to come and see for yourself how Holy Week at HTRC will change your life for the better!

Christina G.

I had spent Holy Week at the Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center this year (2023) and it was truly a blessed experience. With the presence of our Metropolitan H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos and various clergy, we the faithful were able to pray all the hours and take part in the Holy Week feast days together. The serene atmosphere of the HTRC facility made the week such a peaceful time. Throughout the week, we were given the opportunity to meditate, read spiritual books, and take part in Holy Confession. Having the whole week to pray the hours and be fully immersed in the passion of Christ was a great blessing. It was also an amazing experience listening to the various devotional messages from our clergy. A big part of my experience was getting to know the clergy and other faithful from the diocese. We had great fellowship during meals, walks around the property, making Pesaha appam together, and lighting sparklers and fireworks on Easter. When leaving the HTRC, I was overjoyed at all the blessings received throughout the week, but sad that it had come to an end. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I am looking forward to coming back next year, God willing. I hope to see some new faces next year as well.

Brogan R.

We hosted a retreat for a group of students at Holy Transfiguration and it provided a good and flexible space for the retreat. We were able to utilize different spaces and the chapel to create a nice setting for encounter with each other and reflection on God's love! Gary was helpful in making all of the arrangements.

Gary D.

Amazing facility with so much to offer on over 300 acres of natural beauty.

Nicholovos T.

It is a joy for me to visit here and spend time in silence, prayer and reflection. I know many others have had the same experience. I invite others to "come and see" this sacred place for themselves. May this Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center be a spiritual haven for all of God's people.

Bipin M.

Wonderful location of the Northeast American Diocese!